Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success

As the Jacksonville Jaguars aim to elevate their defense from a middle-of-the-pack unit to an elite one in 2025, they’ve turned to a proven blueprint: adopting core elements of the Green Bay Packers’ defensive scheme, which has consistently ranked among the NFL’s top 10 in points allowed over the past three seasons. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success is more than a tactical shift—it’s a deliberate effort to fix the Jaguars’ 2024 defensive flaws, including inconsistent pass coverage and a lack of pressure diversity. For a team that missed the playoffs last year partly due to defensive lapses (blowing four fourth-quarter leads), this scheme change represents a path to greater reliability and competitiveness. With new defensive coordinator Joe Barry—who spent three seasons as Green Bay’s linebackers coach—leading the charge, the Jaguars hope to mirror the Packers’ ability to shut down high-powered offenses while creating turnovers.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success centers on two key pillars of Green Bay’s strategy: versatile zone coverage and a “multiple” pass-rush approach. The Packers’ zone scheme, which uses a mix of Cover 2 and Cover 3 looks to confuse quarterbacks, was a hallmark of their success in 2024—they ranked 8th in the NFL in passing yards allowed and 6th in interceptions. Unlike the Jaguars’ 2024 man-heavy coverage (which led to 21 passing touchdowns allowed), Green Bay’s zone focuses on forcing quarterbacks into tight windows and capitalizing on errant throws. The Packers’ pass-rush strategy, meanwhile, relies on rotating defenders (linemen, linebackers, even safeties) to create mismatches, rather than relying solely on edge rushers. This flexibility helped Green Bay rank 10th in sacks in 2024, despite not having a double-digit sack artist. For the Jaguars, who have a talented core in edge rusher Josh Allen, linebacker Devin Lloyd, and safety Andre Cisco, these scheme elements provide a framework to maximize each player’s strengths while minimizing weaknesses—like the secondary’s struggles in man coverage. “Green Bay’s scheme works because it’s adaptable,” Barry said. “It lets players play fast, and it puts opponents in positions they don’t want to be in. That’s exactly what we need here.”

A critical driver of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success is the coaching connection between Barry and Green Bay’s defensive staff, which has ensured a smooth transition. Barry, who worked under Packers defensive coordinator Joe Barry (no relation) from 2021 to 2023, has intimate knowledge of Green Bay’s playbook, terminology, and teaching methods. He’s brought in two former Packers assistants—linebackers coach Kirk Olivadotti and secondary coach Ryan Downard—to help implement the scheme, ensuring consistency in how plays are called and executed. During OTAs and training camp, the Jaguars’ defense has used Green Bay’s exact terminology (e.g., “Fox” for Cover 2, “Bear” for a 4-3 front) to avoid confusion, and players have noted how familiar the scheme feels despite its complexity. “The terminology is different from last year, but the concepts make sense,” Lloyd said. “Coach Barry breaks it down the same way they did in Green Bay, so it’s been easy to pick up.” This coaching continuity has been key to the scheme’s early success in preseason: the Jaguars’ defense ranked 7th in points allowed per preseason game, with three interceptions and four sacks in three contests.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success has already begun to pay dividends in preseason, with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense showing marked improvement in key areas. In their Week 2 win over the Atlanta Falcons, the Jaguars deployed Green Bay’s signature Cover 3 zone coverage on 60% of snaps, limiting Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder to 145 passing yards and forcing two interceptions. On pass rushes, they used Green Bay’s “taco” package—where a linebacker (usually Lloyd) lines up as a stand-up rusher—to record two sacks, including one by Lloyd that forced a fumble. The defense also showed the Packers’ knack for creating turnovers: in Week 3 against the Miami Dolphins, cornerback Tyson Campbell undercut a route in zone coverage to pick off a pass, mirroring a play the Packers used 12 times in 2024. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ coaching staff has been encouraged by how quickly players have adapted: “We’re not just copying Green Bay—we’re making the scheme our own,” Barry said. “But the early results show that this approach works for our personnel.” For fans, the preseason performances have been a welcome change from 2024, when the defense often looked disjointed and slow to react.

Another benefit of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success is how it maximizes the Jacksonville Jaguars’ existing talent, particularly in the secondary and at linebacker. The Packers’ zone coverage emphasizes safety play, and Cisco—who had 4 interceptions in 2024—has thrived in his new role as a “free safety” who reads the quarterback and breaks on passes, rather than being locked into man coverage. In preseason, Cisco recorded one interception and three pass deflections, all in zone looks. At linebacker, Lloyd—who struggled with run fits in 2024—has found new life in Green Bay’s scheme, which gives him more freedom to flow to the ball. He led the Jaguars in tackles in preseason with 18, including two for loss. Even edge rusher Josh Allen, who is used to being a traditional edge rusher, has benefited from the scheme’s pass-rush flexibility: he lined up as an interior rusher on 15% of snaps in preseason, recording one sack and two pressures. “This scheme lets me do more than just rush the edge,” Allen said. “I’m moving around, creating mismatches, and that’s making me more effective. It’s exactly what I needed to take my game to the next level.” The Jacksonville Jaguars’ front office has noted how the scheme has unlocked players’ potential, validating their decision to shift to Green Bay’s approach.

Looking ahead, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success is a long-term investment that could define the Jacksonville Jaguars’ competitiveness for years to come. While scheme changes often take time to fully implement, the Jaguars’ preseason success suggests they’re ahead of schedule. The real test will come in the regular season, when they face high-powered offenses like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens—teams that the Packers’ scheme has historically handled well. For the Jaguars, this scheme isn’t just about winning games in 2025; it’s about building a sustainable defensive identity that can compete for Super Bowls. With Barry’s expertise, a talented core of players, and a proven blueprint from Green Bay, the Jaguars have all the pieces to turn their defense into a strength. Jacksonville Jaguars’ Defense Looks to Green Bay Scheme for Success isn’t just about copying a winning formula—it’s about adapting it to fit the Jaguars’ unique talent and culture. As the 2025 season begins, all eyes will be on the Jaguars’ defense, and whether this scheme change can turn them into an elite unit.